Bisphosphonate
Bisphosphonate: A class of drugs used to strengthen bone. Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis and the bone pain from diseases such as metastatic breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and Paget’s disease. Bone is in a constant state of remodeling, whereby new bone is laid down by cells called osteoblasts, while old bone is removed by cells called osteoclasts. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone removal (resorption) by the osteoclasts. The bisphosphonates include Fosamax (alendronate), Actonel (risedronate), Boniva (ibandronate), and Reclast (zoledronate).
Read Also:
- Biventricular assist device
Biventricular assist device: A ventricular assist device that helps both ventricles of the heart. It helps the right ventricle of the heart to pump blood to the lungs and the left ventricle to pump blood to the body. The Berlin Heart is an example of a biventricular assist device.
- Bi-
Bi-: Prefix indicating two, as in biceps (a muscle with two heads) or bicuspid (having two flaps or cusps).
- Black Death
Black Death: The Medieval black plague that ravaged Europe and killed a third of its population. It was due to the plague which is caused by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis) transmitted to humans from infected rats by the oriental rat flea. In 14th-century Europe, the victims of the Black Death had bleeding below the skin […]
- Black eye
Bruising of the eyelid and/or the area around the eye as a result of trauma to the eye. Colloquially known as a shiner.
- Black henna
Black henna: A tattoo ink and paste consisting of henna with other ingredients added, sometimes including para-phenylenediamine (PPD). Allergic reactions to PPD include a contact dermatitis, itching, blisters, open sores, scarring of the skin . Allergic reactions to PPD may also lead to sensitivity to other products such as hair dye, sun block and some […]